Knife sharpener



Sept. 2, 1947. M JONES '2,426,934

KNIFE SHARPENER Filed oct. 5, 1945 L:z Smets-sheet 1 A INVENTR.

[yl 6501105 M JWVES G. M; JON Es KNIFE SHARP'ENER Sept. 2, 1947.

Filed Aout. 3, '1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

Patented Sept. 2, 1947 SHARPENER George M. Jones, Jenkintown Manor, Pa.v, as signor to AceV Manufacturing Corporation,

Philadelphia, Pa., a c

varia orporation. of Pennsyl- Application October 3, 1945.', Serial No. 619,925

(Cl, ZIG-S'I 7 Claims.

The present invention relates to knife sharpeners and it relates more particularly toa new' andj improved knife Sharpener' ofthe s'o-called rotary disc type.

An object of the present inventionis to provide a simple, inexpensive and efcient vknife Sharpener. Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a Sharpener of the rotaryl disc type which can be manufactured from inexpensive materials and with simple operations, to give an efficient, safe, attractive and low cost product for household use or the like.

@ther objects and advantages of the. present invention are` apparent inthe following detailed description, appended claims. and. accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the. invention, there are, shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at. present preferred,A although it isto be,- understood that the various instrumentalities of which the inventionconsists can be variouslyarranged and organized and that the: invention is' not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instru mentalities asv hereiny shown and described.

Referring to the accompanyingdrawings in which` like reference characters indicate like. parts throughout:v

Figure 1 represents aside elevational. view of4 one embodiment of the presentl ini/endort,` with discs. and side wall omitted.

Figure 2 represents a. Vertical cross-sectional View of the embodiment in Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a cross-sectionall View generally along the line 343 of Figure 2.

Figure 4' represents a cross-sectional view generally along the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure, 5 represents a perspective view ofthe rotary disc and' base assembly as it appears when removed from the housing.

Figure 6 represents a plan view ofi the basev as it appears after having been stamped out or otherwise formed from sheet, metal, but before. having been bent into the nal form shown in Figure 5.

Figure 'Iy represents a side elevational' View of a modified form of' the present invention.

Figure 8 represents a fragmentary cross-sectional view,l on an enlarged scale, of the embodiment of Figure '7, illustrating how the knife Sharpener can be aiixed to a supporting surface or wall' or the like.

Figure 9 represents a perspective View of a modified form of therotary-disc-and base assem- 2, bly as it appears when removed from the housing.

Figurel 10 represents a perspective view of theopposite side of that modification shown in Fig'- ure. 9.

Figure 1'1= represents aside view of the modied form of sharpeningdisc shownin. Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 12 represents: ay view in cross-section on thel line |f2|2 of the modied form oi' sharpening discv shown inV Figure l1.

Figure 13 represents a view' in cross-section on the plane, of the axis of.' the modi-lied" discs shown in Figures 9-12 disclosing portions of the discs, the washers, and the support therefor.

In one embodiment shown generally in Figures 1 toy 6 ofthe drawings, I may provide a housing; Ifllr which may be integrally formed of molded synthetic plastic', or the like, appropriatelyv coiored during the molding operation. The, housing |0 is formed with a recess or cham-ber H- which is open atA the bottom and which is generally closed attt'he top, except for a slot or opening |2 whose function will be hereinafterl described.` Chamber Iviv includes two small cavities A handle |-3 is formed integrallywiththe housing lll.y and a grooved thumb-rest. I4 is provided onl the topof the housing I0 intermediatethe slot I2 and the handle I3.

A plurality of centrally aperturedV sharpening discs i5.,` of hardened tool Steel or the likey are ro.- tatablymountedr upon a pair of spaced shafts lli and alternately with smaller-diametered spacer-washers I8.

The ends of the shafts I6 and I1 are mounted in semicircular notches i9 provided at the upper edges of the sides, 2B. A pair of generally outwarding extending flanges 2| are formed integrally with thel base 22v of a support 23.

The. support 23' can be stamped out of sheet metal, as shown in Figure 6, and can be provided with fold-lines '2l-Av intermediate. the base 22. and the sides 2U. The. flanges 2| extend latf es 3# therein adjacent theA sides of the anges 21|-, These notches 34 insure that the flanges 2| do notv abutl the faces of the sides 2U` when the sides 2U have been folded about the fold-lines- 2f|'-A'.

Figure 2. The flanges 2l are thus located in the cavities I I-A.

A pair of generally U-shaped shoulders 2B are l integrally formed on the sides "of `the-chamberr II of the housing I; each shoulderl26 extending on both sides of the slot I2.

Semi-circular notches 21 Aareformed at the bearing edges 28 of the shoulders 216; the notchesl 21 being in alignment with the notches I9 onl the base flanges 2l so that, when the base 22 is fastened'within the chamber il as shown inf Figure 2, the four pairs of opposed notches I 9 and Y2'! will ,generally enclose'the ends of the shafts I6'and'|1" Y A central notch 29 is provided on the upper edge' of eachside`20 while a complementary projectionll is 'formed on`the lower edge 23 of each shoulder 26; the projections 30 tting within the notches 29. f 'The' projections 30 and the notches v29 serverto `center the lsidesZIl relative to the Ashoulders 26 and 'also'serve as keying portions and act'to prevent lateral'shifting of the anges 24| relative tothe bearing edges-28 during operation of the knife Sharpener.: The dimension C betweenthe bottoms ofthe notches I9 and "the `fold-line '2l-' A plus the diameter offshafts I6` or` This-approximately equalfto'or slightly greater than the dimension D (Figure 1)r betweenthebottonis ofthe notches 21 and the base or 'bottom face lofhousing I0. Since the flanges 2I rare somewhat flexible about the lines 2l-C (where theilange's 2l joinl the base-22)", the 'support 23`v as a whole can be ad-l justed a few th'ouisandth's offa'n inch by tightening screws 25. This is'possible because, as previously stated, the distance between the ends 2 Ij-B o f the flanges 2l slghtlyless than the length of the opening in housing vI Il in which the flanges 2l are located. This adjustment compensates forany variationvin the dimensionsCbr D In operation, the handle I 3 is grasped vwith one hand, with 'the "thumb resting against the grooved portion I4 and rthe Sharpener vis h eld rmly against a wall or table or the like to provide a rigid support.

The knifeto vbe sharpened yis grasped :in rvthe other hand andthe. edge of the knife is inserted within thefslot IZ .and is` placed against the vides a loose cantable mounting for the sharpening discs whereby they are free to rotate in Wobbling overlapping relationship so as to present the edges of the discs at acute cutting angles to the knife edge being sharpened upon movement of the knife edge along the plane of intersection of the sharpening discs. It is apparent that the housing I0 covers and conceals the greater part of the sharpening discs; only a relatively narrow upper overlapping zone being exposed.

The slot I2, in addition to exposing the sharpening zone of the discs, also acts as a guide and a guard for the knife edge being sharpened; the generally upright sides of the slot extending appreciably above the sharpening Zone of the discs and preventing the knife blade from accidentally shifting laterally during the sharpening movements thereof.

It is apparent thatthe housing fully conceals thev sharpening discs-'except at the sharpening zone. This protects the discs from dirt and water and also prevents accidental injury to the hands ofthe user.

In 'Figures 7 and 8,'the1je is shown another embodiment of the present invention which generallyresembles that of- Figures l to 6 except that the housing lll-a is not provided vwith a handle or thumb-rest and', instead is intended to be more or less permanently fastened to a supporting surface or wall. As shown, particularly inFigure 8, the housing III-a. may be provided, adjacent vits loweredge.' with corner eyelets 3| of metal or thelike through which screws 32 can be passed to fasten the housing to alsupporting'wall 33. l f v The operation of the embodiment of Figures 7 and8 is similar to that described'hereinabovefin connection with the embodiment of vligu're'sr 1 to 6; the vknife edge being placed within the slot I2 and against the line'of convergence of the discs I5 and moved 4laterally togive a'sharpening actionI y 1 In Figures 9 through 12, there is shown a second' enibodiment of the present invention Whi'chalso generally resembles that'of Figures l to 6 except that thev sharpening discs' I5-,A

i have aring-shaped portion YIii- B of relatively cn f discs I5 at theirline of intersection. The knife is then drawn Yfirmly through the] slot I2 so thattheedge passes across ,the edgesof the discs I5. A

lAs caribe seen from Figures 3 and 4, the discs I5 and the washers I8Y are lmounted upon vthe shafts-|6- and I1 with` slight .clearances therebetween so that, asthe knife edge moves across thediscs I5, they aretilted somewhatandare rotated to provide proper sharpening action, as Y the central openings in the discs and the washers are slightly oversize relative to the shafts, prolarge diameter projecting fromone surface thereof and a ring-shaped portion It- Cof relatively small diameter projecting fromy the oppositeY surface.A Y Y l This construction permits al1 but two of `the spacer-washers V tobe Ldispensed with.v This is accomplishedby assembling thesharpening discs I5-A with two portions I5-B abutting one another and two 4portions I5--C abutting one another alternately. This causes the sharpening discs to be-spacedand not nested. Between one end of a pilevof sharpening discs-I-Al and a side 20, `awasher I8-A abutting portion- I5-B, isemployed. At the opposite end of the other pile of discs lli-A, a washer I8-A, abutting the portion ISK-C is located. These washers Ill-A are theon-ly two employed in this modification. The sharpening discs- I5-A are spacedelsewhere by the projecting portions l5--B and I5-C which abut inl pairs and Athus keepthe discs IE- A apart. Y f

The novel knife Sharpener of thejpresent -inventioncan be-quickly, easily and inexpensively manufactured-and'assembled. v

Thus, the housing I0 (or III-a) can be formed 'of anysuitable synthetic resin or plastic in a single moldingoperation. Y

The support 2-3 can be stamped 'out of: sheet metal in a single stamping operation and the flanges 2l can be readily bent up-along the foldlines -'-d shown in Figure 6. I I

r1`hey sharpening discs l5, the washers l8 and the metal shafts Iii and Il are standard parts which are read-ily procurabler The assembling of the knife Sharpener requires only the mounting of the discs and Washers upon the shafts, thek positioning of the shafts upon the notches I9' of the base` anges 2l, the insertion of the support 23 (together with: the discs, etc.) within the chamber Il, and the fastening of the screws 25.

It is. evident, therefore', that the novel knife Sharpener of the presen-t invention can: beI manufactured withV a minimum cost vin labor and materials.

Thus, the presentinvention provides asimple, low cost knife sharper-1er Y which,v at the. same time, is durable and efficient in operation.

The embodiment of Figures l to 6 permits the knife Sharpener to be stored out of the way in drawer or the like and to be taken out when needed.

The novel placement of the handle i3 and the grooved thumb rest I4 permit the hat bottom of the Sharpener to be held firmly against a supporting surface or wall to prevent accidental slipping or movement of the knife Sharpener when is use.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential vattributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing-description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is:

1. A knife-Sharpener comprising an integrally-formed housing having a bottom opening and a top slot, a pair of notched bearing surfaces integrally formed inside said housing adjacent the ends of said slot, a base of sheet-metal or the like fastened within said bottom opening, said base having a pair of spaced upwardlyextending flanges notched correspondingly to said bearing surfaces, a pair of spaced shafts disposed within said housing and supported at their ends intermediate opposed notches on said bearing surfaces and said flanges, and a plurality of sharpening discs rotatably cantably spacedly mounted on each of said shafts, the discs on the respective shafts being disposed in staggered overlapping relationship, said slot exposing only a relatively narrow overlapped Zone of said discs.

2. A knife-Sharpener comprising an integrally-formed housing having a bottom opening and a top slot, a pair of notched bearing surfaces integrally formed inside said housing adjacent the ends of said slot, a base of sheetmetal or the like fastened Within said bottom opening, said base having a pair of spaced upwardly-extending flanges notched correspondingly to said bearing surfaces, said flanges being retained against shifting relative to said bearing surfaces by keying portions formed thereon, a pair of spaced shafts disposed within said housing and supported at their ends intermediate opposedy notches onsaidbearing surfaces and said flanges, and a plurality of sharpening discs rotatably cantably spacedlymounted on each of said-shafts, the discs on the respective" shafts beingdi'spose'din'staggered overlapping relationship, said slot exposing only a relativelyA narrow overlapped Zone of said discs.

3. A knife-Sharpener comprising an integrallyformed housing'hav-ing anV elongated handle and a grooved thumb-rest adjacent to said handle, sai-d housing having a bottom opening and a top slot, apair of notched bearing surfaces integrally formed inside said housing adjacent the ends of saidv slot, a base of sheet-metal or the like fastened within sai'dflbotto'mf opening, said base having a pair of' spaced upwardly-extending flanges notched correspondingly to said bearing surfaces, a pair of' spaced shafts disposed within said housing and supported at their ends intermediate opposed notches on said bearing surfaces. and; saidi'ianges, and a. plurality of sharpening discs rotatably 'cantably spacedly mounted on each of said shafts, the discs on the respective shafts being disposed in staggered overlapping relationship, said slot exposing only a relatively narrow overlapped Zone of said discs.

4. A knife-Sharpener comprising an integrallyformed housing having a bottom opening and a top slot, a pair of notched bearing surfaces integrally formed inside said housing adjacent the ends of said slot, a base of sheet-metal or the like fastened Within said bottom opening, said base having a pair of spaced upwardly-extending flanges notched correspondingly to said bearing surfaces, a pair of spaced shafts disposed Within said housing and supported at their ends intermediate opposed notches on said bearing surfaces and said flanges, a plurality of sharpening discs rotatably cantably spacedly mounted on each of said shafts, the discs on the respective shafts being disposed in staggered overlapping relationship, said slot exposing only a relatively narrow overlapped zone of said discs, and means for fastening said housing to a supporting wall or the like.

5. A knife-Sharpener comprising an integrallyformed housing having an elongated handle and a grooved thumb-rest adjacent to said handle, said housing having a bottom opening and a top slot, a pair of notched bearing surfaces integrally formed inside said housing adjacent the ends of said slot, a base of sheet-metal or the like fastened within said bottom opening, said base having a pair of spaced upwardly-extending flanges notched correspondingly to said bearing surfaces, said flanges being retained against shifting relative to said bearing surfaces by keying portions formed thereon, a pair of spaced shafts disposed within said housing and supported at their ends intermediate opposed notches on said bearing surfaces and said flanges, and a plurality of sharpening dis'cs rotatably cantably spacedly mounted on each of said shafts, the discs on the respective shafts being disposed in staggered overlapping relationship, said slot exposing only a relatively narrow overlapped Zone of said discs.

6. A knife Sharpener comprising a housing having a bottom opening and a top slot formed therein, a base fastened Within said housing, and two sets of sharpening discs disposed within said housing and carried by said base in spaced staggered overlapping rotatable cantable relationship, said slot exposing only a relatively narrow overlapped upper zone of said discs, each of said discs having projecting vfrom one face a portion of relatively large diameter and having projecting from its opposite face a portion of relatively small diameter, said portions of relatively large diameter abutting each other and said portions of relatively small diameter abutting each other to hold said discs spaced.

7. A knife Sharpener comprising an integrally formed housing having a bottom opening and a top slot, a pair of notched bearing surfaces integrally formed inside said housing adjacent the ends of said slot, a base of sheet metal or the like fastened within said bottom opening, said base having a pair of spaced upwardly extending anges notched corresponding to said bearing surfaces, a pair of spaced shafts disposed Within said housing and supported at their ends intermediate opposed notches on said bearing surfaces and on said flanges, and a plurality of sharpening discs rotatably cantably spacedly 20 1,587,492

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,919,772 Carpenter July 25, 1933 1,561,256 Lilly Nov. 10, 1925 Shaw June 1, 1926 1,541,059 Leigh June 9, 1925 1,810,727 Poison June 16, 1931 

